Veteran goalkeeper William Yarbrough brings more than experience to Toronto FC

San Jose Earthquakes goalkeeper William Yarbrough, left, catches the ball during the second half of an MLS soccer match against Nashville SC, Saturday, April 27, 2024, in Nashville, Tenn. The Earthquakes and Nashville played to a 1-1 draw. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)

TORONTO — Toronto FC got more than a healthy dollop of experience when it signed veteran goalkeeper William Yarbrough. It also acquired a boatload of energy.

Yarbrough does more than whistle while he works. He savours every moment.

“I’m privileged to be 36 years old and still be able to do what I love,” he said before jetting off to training camp in Marbella, Spain, with the rest of the Toronto travelling contingent Tuesday.

“And you know, that’s why it doesn’t matter what the weather is like. It doesn’t matter the conditions of the pitch we train on or play on. Any day I get to go out there and do what I love, you know I’m going to make the most of it.

“There is not a single thing I regret in my entire career because I’ve always given 100 per cent. And that’s what makes me most proud. I’m just trying to enjoy it — as long as it lasts.”

With veteran ‘keeper Sean Johnson leaving to join D.C. United as a free agent, Canadian Luka Gavran is expected to move up the depth chart into the starting role for TFC.

But Toronto coach Robin Fraser, who coached Yarbrough with the Colorado Rapids, believes the Mexican-born American is more than a ‘break-in-case-of-emergency’ goalkeeping option.

“He’s a consummate professional, no matter what the situation,” said Fraser. “He works incredibly hard.”

Like newly acquired star defender Walker Zimmerman, Yarbrough is expected to deliver on and off the pitch.

“As we look to fill some leadership voids, we’re looking at players who, I think, specialize in not only being good players but they make people around them better,” said Fraser.

Taken in the second round (31st overall) of the 2022 MLS SuperDraft out of St. John’s University, Gavran has played in just 16 regular-season games while serving his apprenticeship behind Johnson.

But the six-foot-six Gavran, who made a cameo in Canada’s weekend 1-0 win over Guatemala, has impressed.

“In the games he got into last year, I thought he did really well,” Fraser said of the 25-year-old from Hamilton. “So I would think that Luka’s really hungry at this point, so this is a real opportunity for him.

“On the other hand, I would say Will’s competitive fire never burns out … He is so dialed in and such a hard worker and so good with his team and how he delivers his messages. We certainly expect it to be a good level of competition for both of them and I think they are both going to improve because of each other.”

Yarbrough arrives as a free agent after serving as a backup at Inter Miami. While Miami hoisted the MLS Cup in his lone season in the Sunshine State, he did not see action and Miami declined his 2026 contract option.

He has good memories from his season with Lionel Messi and Miami’s other marquee men, however.

“It’s amazing to work with class athletes who, you know, have been known to be the best in the world for so many years. And just seeing how much they care about the game and how intense they are day-in, day-out, and how they take care of themselves,” he said. “It was great to be a part of it and a privilege to have those guys as teammates.”

Toronto signed him for the 2026 MLS season with an option through June 2027.

Born in Mexico to American parents, Yarbrough won two Liga MX titles and recorded 52 shutouts in 203 appearances for Club Leon (2012 to 2020) before heading to MLS, where he spent four seasons with Colorado (2020 to 2023) and one each with San Jose (2024) and Miami (2025).

A former Mexico youth international, Yarbrough switched allegiance to the U.S. in 2015 and appeared in three friendlies.

Yarbrough wears both flags proudly, with one exception.

“I mean, if we’re talking food — Mexican, any day of the week,” he said, drawing laughs. “But I have a lot of respect for both cultures.”

“I’m a person who always likes to see the bright side of things and I like to cherish everything I have,” he added. “So I feel privileged to have grown with both of those cultures that I absolutely love. And like I said, there’s some things I like more about one than the other. And you know I try to enjoy them both.”

Yarbrough came through the Pachuca youth system, signing his first pro contract at 16. He went out on loan to Tampico Madero (2010-2011), Titanes Tulancingo (2011) and Leon (2012-13) before joining Leon on a permanent basis in March 2013.

While he has played in 120 career MLS regular-season games, his last league outing was Sept. 21, 2024, with San Jose.

Adisa De Rosario, the 21-year-old son of Canada Soccer Hall of Famer Dwayne De Rosario, is back after spending last season as Toronto’s third-string ‘keeper.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Jan. 21, 2026.

Neil Davidson, The Canadian Press